Dynamic analysis of steel frames with flexible connections

This paper deals with the effects of flexibility and damping in the nodal connections on the dynamic behavior of plane steel frames. A flexible eccentric connection is idealized by nonlinear rotational spring and dashpot in parallel. Thus, the effects of viscous and hysteretic damping on dynamic response of frame structures are taken into consideration. A numerical model that includes both nonlinear connection behavior and geometric nonlinearity of the structure is developed. The complex dynamic stiffness matrix for the beam with flexible connections and linear viscous dampers at its ends is obtained. Several examples are included to illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the present model.